Record blank supporting arbor and assembly device



Sept. 28, 1943. DETTLE 2,330,411

RECORD BLANK SUPPORTING ARBOR AND ASSEMBLY DEVICE Filed June 27, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sep&. 28, 1-943. L E. DETTLE RECORD: BLANK SUPPORTING ARBOR AND ASSEMBLY DEVICE Filed June 27, '1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 28, 1943 iiil'iE STAT,

RECORD BLANK SUPPORTING Ali-BOB AND ASSEMBLY DEVICE Application June 27,

11 Claims.

This invention relates in general to the manufacture of record blanks for the recording of sound tracks, and more particularly to novel means for expediting the assembling and supporting of record blanks or matrices to facilitate the subsequent coating thereof.

In the manufacture of a record blank, a matrix or base disc oi cardboard, fiber, sheet metal, or any other desired material is coated with a well known lacquer or other suitable adapted to subsequently receive sound recording impressions. One method of accomplishing this result is to mount a plurality of record blanks or matrices concentrically and in spaced relationship on a shaft or arbor, to a predetermined depth into the coating compound, rotate the blanks to cover all but their undipped central portions with the compound, and then to dry or bake the coating compound thereon. Such a method and apparatus for performing the same is disclosed in the oo-pending application for United States Letters Patent of David C. Rockola, Serial No. 382,951, filed March 12, 1941.

A principal object of the instant invention is to expedite the assembly and retention of a plurality of record blanks or other disc-like members in concentric and axially spaced relationship relative to each other, thus saving time and labor in the above-described coating process or any other one similar thereto.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a novel arbor for supporting and rigidly retaining a plurality of disc-like members in spaced relationship thereon.

A further important object of the invention is the provision of a device for peripherally and individually supporting a plurality of record blanks, or other disc-like members, and a plurality of cylindrical spacer members in axially aligned and alternate relationship to enable such an arbor to be passed longitudinally through central apertures in said members, thereby facilitating the assembly on, andthe removal from, the arbor of the record blanks, while eliminating all handling of the spacer members interposed therebetween.

Another object of theinvention is the provision of record blank supporting means in such a device which may readily be adjusted to accommodate record blanks of different diameters.

A further object of the invention is the provision of individual supporting means for the spacer members in such a device which are movable to permit axial adjustment of the spacers to facilicompound dip the blanks-edgewise 1941, Serial at. tears? (or iii- 60') tate the placing of, record blanks therehe'tween. Another object of the invention is theprovision in such a device of means :readily .engageable with, and disengageable from, the arbor to enable a rapid securing or tightening of the record blanks and spacer members thereon and loosening of the same therefrom.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in Iconnection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Inthe drawings, Figure lis a front elevation of an arbor and assembly device embodying the features vof the means for engaging I invention, with .part of the I and rotating the arbor record blank retaining vmembershowni-n section;

, Figs-2, 3and4 are transverse vertical sections taken substantially on the lines 2-2,, 3-13 and 5-4, respectively, of Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detail vertical section taken longitudinally of the arbor in its position of Fig. land withparts thereof broken-away; .and

Fig. 6 .is :an end one of the spacer supportingmembers.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference numerals =1 l and 12 indicate ingener-al, respectively, arbor :and ;anassembly device embodying the features of the invention, which are designed to facilitate the handling of :disclike members '13, .such :as record blanks, or matrices, and .rn'embers l4 dor :properly Spacing the latter from each other ;on the arbor. IIhe arbor 1:! ;comprises :a .main portion having -.a shoulder 15 fonmedintermediate its ends, and :a

reduced portion lafi'terminating in :a pointed end I1 and :threa'ded.=..on :its nuter :surfaoe adjacent thereto. The end 1101f thearbor lll opposite the pointed (end 1i :1 is provided with a hub portion '18 (Fig.1), and a suitable :roller' .19 .is rotatably mounted in any desired :manner adjacent this outer hub portion 31:8. A sprocket :wheel :22! is roller 19. 1

The disc-like "members 13 and spacers M are mounted'upon the reduced portion lii-rofthe arbor in a-manner to be later more fully described, and" portion of the reduced part ILS and forming a part :oi the arbor. .The retainer 'meniher22 (Fig. 1), terminates :at :its outer end in a hub elevation of the upper ipar-t of rigidly secured to the arbor 1H adjacent the portion 23 which is similar to the hub portion I8 at the other end of the arbor. The retaining member 2 2 is also provided with a roller 24 which is similar to the roller I 9.

When a plurality of record blanks I 3 have been mounted upon the arbor I I in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, they are held thereon in position for the subsequent dipping and drying steps of the process hereinbefore described. In this process, as disclosed in the copending application referred to, the hub portions I8 and 23 of the arbor are engageable with suitable conveyor means, and the rollers I 3 and 24 function to support the arbor and the record blanks carried thereby during the process of coating and drying the latter. At the same time, the sprocket wheel 2| periodically engages suitable chain or rack means (not shown herein) for rotating the arbor and the record blanks to effect proper coating thereof.

While the present invention is directed to the novel form of supporting arbor above described, it also includes the assembly device I2 for expediting the mounting upon and removal from the arbor of the disc-like members or record blanks I3 and spacer members I4. The assembly device 2 comprises a supporting frame which includes a pair of end plates 25 upstanding from and secured in any desired manner to a suitable base member 26. If desired, the base member 23 may be mounted upon rollers or other suitable supporting means which are not illustrated in the instant drawings, since they do not form an essential part of the invention. The upper ends of the end plates 25 are each provided with a pair of angularly disposed series of apertures 27 (Fig. 2), spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. A pair of longitudinally extending rods 28 are removably positioned in selected ones of the apertures 27 for the purpose of peripherally supporting the disc-like members or recrd blanks I3.

Adjacent the base 26 (Figs. 1 and 2), a pair of tie-rods 29 are provided which extend longitudinally of the assembly device I2 and through the end plates to which they are secured in any suitable manner. A plurality of vertically extending spacer member supports 3| are slidably mounted upon the tie-rods at their lower ends. Longitudinal movement of the supporting members 3| on the rods 23 is limited by adjustable stop members 32 and 33 (Fig. l), threaded through suitable apertures in the respective end frames 25. The stop members 32 and 33 cooperate with the outside supports 3| intermediate the tie-rods 29, and these portions of all of the supports 3| are provided with recesses 34 to facilitate spreading apart of the supporting mem bers. The upper end of each of the supporting members 3| terminates in a yoke portion 35 (Figs. 2, 5 and 6), having a semi-circular recess 36 in the upper surface thereof.

Each member 3| is adapted to support one of the spacer members I4 at its upper end. As best shown in Fig. 5, each of the spacer members I4 is provided with a pair of circumferential flanges 31 which define the side Walls of an annular groove 38. The recesses 36 in the upper end of the yoke portion 35 of each of the supporting members 3| is so dimensioned relative to the spacer members I4 as to slidingly embrace the inner surface of the groove 38. Each of the supporting members 3| is thus adapted to maintain one of the spacer members I4 thereon at a definite vertical position, while permitting lateral movement of the spacer member relative thereto, such movement being limited by the flanges 37. Each of the spacer members I4 is provided with a central bore or aperture 39 (Fig. 5), and when mounted upon the supporting members 3|, the bores of all of the spacer members will be maintained in alignment with each other.

The apertures 27 in each series are so spaced relative to each other that when the rods 28 are disposed therein, the distance from the outer surface of the rods on the center line of the apertures to the center of the recesses 36 in the up per ends of the supporting members 3| will be equal to the radius of different standard sizes of record blanks. Thus, as will be seen in Fig. 2, the rods 28 are shown as extending through the second from the top aperture 21 in each series thereof. In such position, the rods 28 are adapted to peripherally support record blanks I3 having an 8-inch diameter so that the usual central apertures 4| provided therein (Fig. 5), will be aligned with the bores 39 of the spacer members I4 mounted upon the supporting members 3|. Similarly, the upper apertures 21 are so positioned that when the rods 28 extend therethrough, 6-inch record blanks will be supported thereby in like manner with their central apertures in alignment with the bores 39 of the several spacer members I4. Any desired number of such apertures 21 may be provided, the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2 being intended to selectively accommodate records of 6, 8, 10, 12 or 16- inch diameter.

When it is desired to assemble a plurality of record blanks I3 and spacer members M in alter-- nate relationship upon an arbor I I, the spacers I4 are first disposed or set upon the upper ends of the supporting members 3| The record blanks I3 are then inserted between the respective spacer members I4 so as to rest upon the rods 28, the latter having been positioned in the proper apertures 21 corresponding with the diameter of the particularblanks I3 being handled. In order to facilitate such positioning of the record blanks I3, the supporting members 3| may first be spread slightly apart from each other by moving the lower ends thereof along the tie-rods 29. The recesses 34 may expedite such spreading of the supporting members 3|, and the stop members 32 and 33 will limit movement thereof to prevent spacing of the members I4 to such an extent as to result in misalignment of the record blanks. In other words, the spacer members I4 function to retain the record blanks l3 in substantially vertical position on the rods 28, and spacing thereof at too great a distance might result in the central apertures of the members being thrown too far out of alignment.

The reduced portion IE of the arbor II is then passed through the aligned apertures 4| and 39 until all of the members I3 and I4 are in position thereon, the pointed end II being provided to facilitate such action. The left-hand stop member 32 (Fig. 1), is so adjusted that when the arbor II has been'moved sufiiciently far to the right to place the shoulder I5 in contact with the end record blank I3, the sprocket wheel 2| will be substantially aligned with the left-hand end plate 25.

Mounted at the upper end ofthis end plate 25 (Figs. 1 and 3), are a pair of chains 42 and 43 which are pivotally connected in any suitable manner at one end to the end plate, as indicated at 44 in Fig. .3. After the arbor I has been posibers l3 and end surface ofthe hub portion 23.

' ber 2'3. v e v tate the retaining member 22 to furnish the deeaten 'ti'one'din themanner 'hereinbetore described, it is will be left -"on theirsupportin'g members 31. In

supported through the intermediary of the mem- 14 by the rods 28 and members 3|. The'chain' 42 is then swung upwardly from normal or inoperative position to "engage with the sprocket wheel '2! Fig. 3.

as shown in broken lines in In this position, the chain 42 will prevent rotation of the arbor in a clockwise direction, as viewed from the right- 'hand end of the assembly. device l2 and asfseen in Fig. 3.

A bracket 45 is mounted in any suitable manner upon the outer surface o'fthe right-hand end plate 25 (Fig. 1), to support 'a"bearing or trun- I nion block 6.

Slidably and rotatably supported by the bearing' l' is a shaft 41 having a crank 6'8 secured to the outer end thereof. At its inner end, the shaft *4? terminates in'a recessed chuck it having a bore of greater diameter than the hub portion 23 'ofthe arborretaining member 22. The inner surface of-the and wallet the chuck G9 is provided with an outwardly"extending rib or key 5'! (Figs. 1 and 4'), which "is adapted to engage a slot or keyway 52' formed in the outer The chuck 49 is also provided with'a longitudinal slot 53 within which is disposed the forward end of a latching pawl it. The pawl 54 is pivotally connected to the chuck E53 intermediate its ends by a pin .and is provided at its outer end with 2. depending rod 56. The rod 56 extends through a suitable aperture in the shaft Q'L'and is provided with an enlarged head portion at its lower "end to limit upward movement relative to the shaft. Surrounding the rod 56 'andinter'posed between the latch 5A and the shaft 41 is a spring 5i which functions to urge the forward or nose end of the pawl 5 ldownwardly.

With this arrangement, after the arbor H has been inserted through the several members l3 and Hi, the retaining member 22 is screwed upon the outer threaded end of the reduced portion l6. In order to tighten the retaining member 22 sufficiently to rigidly secure the record blanks it on the arbor, the shaft/41 is moved'inwardly from its normal position (which is shown in broken lines in Fig. 1) 'to engage the key 51 in the keyway 52. The pawl 54 will then automatically function under the influencefof the spring -51 to retain the chuck-49in engagement with the mem- Rotation of the crank '48 will then rosired tightening thereof. At the same time, the chain 12 will prevent similar rotation of the arbor H. in this manner, the "disc-like members or record blanks l3 may be rapidly mounted upon the arbor ll.

After the record blanks have been coated as described hereinbefore, the assembly device l2 may be employed to facilitate removal thereof from the arbor l i. In such operation, the arbor and its supported members l3 and M are repositioned upon the device l2, as shown in Fig. 1. The chain i3 is then swung upwardly into its operative position, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, to engage the sprocket wheel 2i. The chuck it having been engaged with the retaining member 22 in the manner hereinbefore described, rotation of the crank 48 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from the right end of Fig. 1, will cause removal of the retaining member 22 from the arbor. It is then only necessary for the operator to disengage the chain 53 and remove the arbor H endwise from the members it and Hi. The members l3 may then be removed while the spacer members 14 will not be disturbed, but

this operation the supporting members may be spread longitudinally of the rods ES if desired.

An important feature of this arrangement is "the fact that 'handl'ingo'f the spacer members F4,

after they have once been employed, is entirely eliminated. After the completed record blanks 13 have been removed from the assembly device l-Zfunoo'ated blanks may thenbe positioned =on the rods 28 between 'thespacer members, and the arbor member again passed through the several apertures ll and '39. r i

It is thought that the'invent'ionand many er its attendant advantages will' be understood f om the foregoing description, and it'will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangements of the parts'without departing from the spirit and scone of the invention-orsacrificing all of its material advan- 'ta'ges, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof. v

I claim: U W 1. In a device-of the=class-described; means supporting a pluralityof centrally apertu. like members inspaced relationship to eachoth'e-r, means for supporting centrally apertured spacer Jm'embers between said disc-like members, whereby the apertures in all of said members will be aligned'witheach other toenable of an arbor th'erethrough, means ro'tatably 'enga cable and means removably engageable with said re taining means for rotating the same relative to said arbor.

2. In combination with an arbor adapted to support a plurality of centrally apertured disc like members and Spacer members inalternately arranged relationship and havingmeans for seplacing of.

curing the same thereon, an assembly device, comprising means forsupporting said members through while permitting relative movement of said members longitudinally of said arborgand mean removably engageable witlfisaid securing means to actuate the same to prevent relative movement between said'members and said-arbor. 3. A device to facilitate the assemblyof-c'entrally apertured disc-like members and-spacer members in alternate relationship on an arbor, comprisinga supporting frame, means mounted on said frame for supporting said spa'cer membersin spaced relationship to each other toen-able said disc-"like members therebetween. and means mounted on said frame for removably supporting said disc-like members to maintain the central apertures therein in alignment with those of said spacer members to receive said arbor, and to enable removal of said arbor therefrom and subsequent removal only of said disc-like members without removing said spacer members from their supporting means.

4. A device to facilitate the assembly of centrally apertured disc-like members and spacer members in alternate relationship on an arbor, comprising a supporting frame, means mounted on said frame for peripherally supporting said disc-like members to maintain their central apertures in alignment, and means movably mounted on said framefor individually supporting said spacer members with their central apertures in alignment with those of said disc-like members to enable said arbor to be passed 5. A device to facilitate the assembly of centrally apertured disc-like members and spacer ed disc-j therethrough.

members in alternate relationship on an arbor having means for securing said members thereon, comprising a supporting frame, means mounted on said frame for supporting said members to maintain the central apertures therein in alignment to enable said arbor to be passed therethrough, said members being mounted on said supporting means for movement relative to each other longitudinally of said arbor, means mounted on said frame for removably engaging said securing means to actuate the same to secure said members in said arbor, and means mounted on said frame and removably engageable with said arbor to prevent movement thereof during actuation of said securing means.

6. An arbor for supporting a plurality of centrally apertured disc-like members and spacer members in alternately arranged relationship, comprising a shoulder portion intermediate the ends thereof, an outwardly threaded reduced portion formed integrally with said shoulder portion and adapted to be passed through the apertures in said members, an internally threaded retaining member engageable with said reduced portion to force and retain said members against said shoulder portion, and rollers mounted adjacent said shoulder portion and on said retaining member, respectively, to support said arbor.

7. An arbor for supporting a plurality of centrally apertured disc-like members and spacer members in alternately arranged relationship, comprising a shoulder portion intermediate the ends thereof, an outwardly threaded reduced portion formed integrally with said shoulder portion and adapted to be passed through the apertures in said members, an internally threaded retaining member engageable with said reduced portion to force and retain said members against said shoulder portion, rollers mounted adjacent said shoulder portion and on said retaining member, respectively, to support said arbor, hub portions formed adjacent said rollers for engagement by suitable conveying means, and a sprocket wheel mounted on said arbor for rotating the same relative to said rollers.

8. A device to facilitate the assembly of centrally apertured record blank members and spacer members in alternating relationship on an arbor, comprising a supporting frame, means mounted on said frame for supporting said spacer members in spaced relationship to each other to enable placing of said record blanks therebetween, and means adjustably mounted on said frame for supporting groups of record blanks of the same diameter-and adjustable to support groups of different diameter so as to maintain the central apertures therein in alignment with those of said spacer members to enable said arbor to be passed therethrough, said last means comprising rods engageable in different apertures in said frame and extending longitudinally thereof for supporting other groups of record blanks of different diameters at circumferentially spaced points on the periphery thereof all of the records in each of said groups having the same diameter,

9. A device to facilitate the assembly of centrally apertured disc-like members and spacer members in alternate relationship on an arbor, comprising a supporting frame, means mounted on said frame for peripherally supporting said disc-like members to maintain their central apertures in alignment, tie-rods extending longitudinally of said frame, and a plurality of spacer member supports slidably mounted upon said rods adjacent their lower ends and adapted to peripherally engage said spacer members at their upper ends to individually support the same independently of said disc-like members with the central apertures thereof in alignment with those of said disc-like members.

10. In combination with cylindrical members having central bores for engagement with an arbor, an assembly device, comprising a plurality of vertically disposed members slidably mounted adjacent their lower ends for limited horizontal movement relative to each other and terminating at their upper ends in yoke-shaped portions engageable with the outer surfaces of said cylindrical members to individually support the latter to maintain said bores in horizontal alignment.

11. An arbor for supporting a plurality of centrally apertured disc-like members and spacer members in alternately arranged relationship, comprising a shoulder portion intermediate the ends thereof, an outwardly threaded reduced portion formed integrally with said shoulder portion and adapted to be passed through the apertures in said members, an internally threaded retaining member engageable with said reduced portion to retain said members against said shoulder portion, a roller mounted on said retaining member, hub portions formed on said shoulder portion and said retaining member for engagement by suitable conveying means, and a sprocket wheel mounted on said arbor for rotating the same.

LAWRENCE E. DETTLE. 

